MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON NOVEMBER 1, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Haskell Kennedy, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo Vivenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Chad Furnelli, Attorney John Connor, Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi

Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:02 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the minutes of the meeting held on October 4, 2023, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Chad Furnelli-Fire Department
After review of the application, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Steven Barker, Police Officer, Police Department with 31 years and 2 months as of January 5, 2024; Patricia Labroad, Library Senior Clerk, Library Department with 37 years and 1 month as of October 26, 2023; Robert Mariani Jr., Police Officer, Police Department with 30 years and 2 months as of January 2, 2024, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the fifteen (15) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the redeposit of refunds to: Olimar Alicea, Junior Custodian, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Brandi T. Brown, Teacher Assistant, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Darrin R. Edwards, Police Officer, Police Department, for the refund from the State Retirement Board in 1996; Sabrina T. Lopez, Specialist, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Jeremy Saint Laurent, City Solicitor 1st Associate, Law Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2021; Anne K. Snow, Community Health Nurse, Health Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Kathleen E. Tavernier, Senior Clerk Typist, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2018; Christopher J. West, Building Custodian, Facilities Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2020; Jourdan N. Williams, Special Education, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2020; Alkesha D. Woods, Certified Nurses Assistant, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2019, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #59 Refunds in the amount of $95,224.71, Warrant #60 Refunds in the amount of $78,167.57, Warrant #61 Expenses in the amount of $85,034.58, Warrant #62 Retirement Payroll in the amount of $7,696,160.03 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,475,000.00, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the twenty (20) requests for refunds and transfers to other systems as presented to the Board. The names have been submitted to their particular Department, the Law Department and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #8-New Members
Motion made by Moynihan to consider the one hundred sixty-four (164) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to approve the monthly trial balance, cash receipts, cash disbursements, journal entries and general ledger reports for the month of September as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Benefits under Section 9
After a review of the information provided for survivor benefits, a motion was made by Schmaelzle to approve the survivor benefits to the beneficiary of William J. Poe of the Fire Department-Deceased, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Meeting dates for Calendar Year 2024
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the meeting dates for 2024 as amended, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar provided an update to the Board on any outstanding compliance requests regarding 91A and terminations due to non-compliance. A motion was made by Moynihan to grant an extension to those retirees who have not complied, to do so by December 4, 2023, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar also updated the Board on the PRIT performance and provided information relating to post retirement earnings.

Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman, Lefebvre, Matos and Smith.

Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #15-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos, #21 Upcoming Public Hearings on PERAC Regulations, #22 Appropriation Data Due October 31, 2023, PERAC 2022 Annual Report, September PRIT Fund Update, Budget Balances as of October, Monthly Transfers as of October, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow.

Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 5:35 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman

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Robert P. Moynihan, Elected Member

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Haskell Kennedy, Appointed Member

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Patrick S. Burns, Appointed Member

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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member